Second Round of Funding Totaling $734,580 Available for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in the Territory

Second Round of Funding Totaling $734,580 Available for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in the Territory

Admin
February 14, 2022 / 5 mins read

The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) is pleased to advise the community that the USVI has been approved for a second round of funding of up to $734,580 in reimbursements and future estimated expenses to organizations that have provided or will provide emergency food and/or shelter programs in the territory during the period of November 1, 2021 through April 30, 2023.

The first round of funding, finalized in January of this year, resulted in the distribution of $578,970 in reimbursements to 12 organizations throughout the USVI. The funds were distributed directly to the agencies by the national EFSP. CFVI administered the program in the USVI and serves as chair of a 12-member local board which reviews the applications and recommends awards.

This second round of funding is provided through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the federally-funded Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) based on the following phases:

Phase 39: $180,180
Phase ARPA-R $554,400 (priority will be given to those organizations still impacted by COVID-19 that have a higher need)

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations, churches, or units of government that have demonstrated the ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. In addition, they must be eligible to receive Federal funding, practice nondiscrimination, and have an accounting system.

CFVI applauds the national EFSP Board for important changes made for this round of funding, include the following:

  1. The per meal allowance has increased to $3 per meal for agencies using the per meal rate when providing congregate meals.
  2. Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) may pay more than one month of utility assistance. LROs may now pay up to 90 days (3 months) for clients per phase if it is necessary to prevent disconnection of services.
  3. LROs may pay more than one-month rental or mortgage assistance. LROs may now pay up to 90 days (3 months) for clients per phase if it is necessary to maintain housing.
  4. LROs may pay more than one-month hotel/motel assistance. LROs may now provide up to 90 days of assistance for clients per phase if it is necessary to prevent homelessness.

Changes and new guidance, implementation schedule and a pre-recorded presentation can be viewed at any time on the EFSP website homepage under FY2021/ARPA-R Funding.

Agencies interested in applying for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds must submit applications via CFVI’s grant portal at cfvi.co/CFVIGrantsPortal. All new applicants to CFVI must create a new account with the online grant portal. All returning applicants must log in to their previously created account. The application can also be previewed at https://cfvi.co/EFSP_APP. For more information, visit https://cfvi.co/EFSP_FAQ.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm AST Friday, March 4, 2022.

Please contact Beth Nuttall at bethn@cfvi.net with any questions.